Layout location advice

[GWR-Kris]

im currently working on a small layout of 3' x 6' just to get me back into the swing of things.

In the long term im looking to make a much larger layout. The origninal plan was to make a shed in the garden approx 7' x 16' but as i have chickens and the shed would be in close proximity to them I decided this was most likely not the best option, becasue of mice and rats, they would ruin all my work. the shed cannot go else where in the garden either, so im currently faced with two choices.

First is to put the layout in the loft, but i would have to board it out insulate it so its not so suseptable to the weather conditions, but the loft is not tall enough to stand so im worried about room and having issues with my back, and neck. also access is an issue having to get a loft ladder out all the time. But the advange would be i can make a far bigger layout.

The other idea is the back of the utility room, but this is not big approx 7' x 7' i would extend the room to make it alot bigger, but as this building is already an extenion i would have to apply for planning permission as its already up to the 3m distance from the orignial house.

I just after opinions of what you would do considering my choices, ie if someone already has there in the loft what made them choose there and how do they find working on it etc.

[Newportnobby]

Personally I would take the 7' x 7' as being the better option (minimal extra cost, inside the house etc)
My conservatory layout is 7'6" x 7' and I consider that is plenty of room for my roundy roundy with an operating well in the middle of 3' x 2'. I intend to be running 8 coach trains and decent length freights with fiddle yards down one 7'6" side.
With some good planning I reckon you can have a cracking layout in the utility room. I know it's not 16' like the shed you thought of but hey, it's still gonna be fun

[Jack]

How long is long term ? Only you will know, however, in six months, a year or even 18 months time, other opportunities that you may not have realised may come along.

Why not just build your 6x3, or even make it 7x3  , in the space that you have in the utility room, gain the skills you are wanting and see what the future might bring in regard to space and other ideas.

In my case I was going around the house trying to find a way as to where to build. I began planning and preparing to build a small table top layout when out of the blue a small bedroom became spare 

[Greybeema]

The other advantage of being in doors is that you just pop in do twenty minutes whilst SWMBO is not looking...  Seriously you can pop inot the room do a bit and pop back out again...  I would go for the 7x7...

[Matthew-peter]

I too would go with the 7' by 7' area, that way you can do an L or even U shaped layout which could give you some interesting layout design potential and operating too. This way you get the benefits of being inside so not as much worry about weather and other factors and also it gives an earlier start to building and planning.

[GWR-Kris]

cheers guys for the advice. I suppsoe could always extend the room at a later date if i chose too

[weave]

Hi,

You've probably decided on the room layout but in case you still had doubts.

I've got a loft layout and the only advantages I can think of are that although the main station area is about 8'x2' the single track loop which ranges from 1' wide to 6" wide that runs round the edges is about 30' long. Also, you can disappear (with permission of course) which is nice sometimes.

I havn't got a bad back but loft layouts are a pain in the backside.

Have got a pull down ladder thats a pain to get down and to go up and down.

Getting stuff up and down is not easy, especially the wood for the baseboard.

I can't stand up in it so its also a pain in the knees.

No skylight so the lights awful.

Its too hot in the summer (although buckling hasn't been too bad) so you need fans and too cold in the winter. Also you have to take up bring down the locos every time.

I could go on but I dream of being able to stand up in a room temperature spare room with natural light (unfortunately it is not allowed under section 4 of the SWMBO CODE).

Think it might be how submariners feel when they come out and see an aircraft carrier.

Go with the room. What about 7' x 2' on one side with a 1' or 6" edge round 2 sides (bigger square in corners for the curve) and some sort of bridge to get in and out.

Sorry post so long. Am putting off going up Mount Loftladdderjaro til more awake.

Cheers Weave.

[GWR-Kris]

cheers for the info. Was your loft insulated at all?

[Jack]

You could always cut a hole in the kitchen floor...... 


Glendower - Spectacular OO gauge model railway layout in a 4ft high basement!

[upnick]

Superb  layout /  video  Jack      

I saw a unique  use of space  in this thread if your house is set out like this one   go for it    ..............

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11969

[Jack]

Superb  layout /  video  Jack      

I saw a unique  use of space  in this thread if your house is set out like this one   go for it    ..............

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11969

Funny enough Nick, about 18 months ago I was looking at creating a similar position for a layout, and then a spare bedroom became available. 

[weave]

Hi,

Floor insulated, roof tiles not. Don't know how these things work 

What a great layout. Won't ever complain about my ladder and lack of space again. Although, saying that, I'm 6' 4" and he could have been a submariner!

Cheers Weave.

[GWR-Kris]

cheers guys, i have decided to have the layout in the utility room. Think the loft idea will be a bad idea. Also looking into the cost of an extension to make the layout 7' x 16'

[Newportnobby]

Nice one, Kris
Look forward to seeing the track plan, but I'd advise not to 'over egg it'